Container fill checking machine



y 2 1943 A. 1.. KRONQUEST I 2,324,732

CONTAINER FILL CHECKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 19, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet l Iv vE/vToe 4 y 1943- A. KRONQUEST 2,324,782

I CONTAINER FILL CHECKING MACHINE 5 Sheets-$11991: 2

Filed Dec. 19, 1941 IIIII 1 M hm I I. I I I I U www- 5 Shets-Sheet s July 20, 1943. A. L. KRONQUEST CONTKINER FILL CHECKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 19-. 1941 A V 90 .om v .QM.

J y 20, 9 A. L. KRONQUEST CONTAINER FILL CHECKING MAC HINE Filed Dec. 19, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 20, 1943. A. L..KRONQUEST CONTAINER FILL CHECKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 19, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 mm L Patented July 20, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,324,782 CONTAINER FILL CHECKING MACHINE Alfred L. Kronquest, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 19, 1941,seria1 N 423,697

16 Claims.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in liquid level testing equipment and primarily seeks to provide a novel machine structure capable of rapidly and efficiently testing the level of the fill in liquid filled containers, drawing off and reclaimingfill surpluses, and automatically rejecting all slack filled containers.

In modern practices involving the packaging of liquids, automatic filling machines are employed in an effort to rapidly and accurately fill the liquid containers. Machines of this type are generally provided with means for regulating the volume of liquid filled into the containers so that each will contain the desired, predetermined quantity. In spite of the volumetric adjustments on and the relatively efilcient operation of these machines, variations in the volume of liquid filled into containers often occur with the result that some containers. will contain more than the in-.

tended amount whereas others will be slack filled. Obviously, surplus fills mean unnecessary losses to the producer, whereas slack fills are very objectionable to and will not consciously be tolerated by the consumer. It is the purpose of the, present invention to provide a simple and inexpensively constructed machine in which both of these objectionable conditions will be avoided, first by drawing off and saving all fill surpluses, and second by detecting and rejecting all slack filled containers, thereby permitting only properly filled containers to be fed on for distribution and-consumer use.

In its more detailed nature the invention resides in providing a machine structure wherein are provided filled container feed-in ways, propincluding a novel turret structure Whereon is mounted a plurality of said testing units and an individual pad for'receiving each container to betested, said pads being vertically reciprocable to present containers to said units, and all surplus draw off tubes being connected with a common draw off duct disposed centrally of the turret.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine structure of the character stated wherein is embodied means normally eifective to reject containers onto the rejection ways, and means controlled by said electrodes for rendering the normally effective container rejecting means ineffective to reject properly filled containers.

Another object-of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated in whichthe slack filledcontainer rejecting means includes stationary diverter cam means, and in which erly filled container delivery ways, and slack filled container rejecting ways, means for mov-' ing containers onto and over said ways, a testing unit including a surplus liquid draw off tube and a pair of electrodes, means for bringing about relative movement between a container and said unit to cause the tube and electrodes to project to the predetermined proper fill level in thecontainer so that any surplus liquid will be drawn off through said tube and the contact of the electrodes with the liquid will complete an electrical circuit eiiective to control means for assuring delivery of properly filled containers over the delivery Ways, or in the case of slack filled containers failing to complete said circuit and thereby to render effective means for rejecting said slack filled containers over the rejecting ways.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine structure of the character descr bed novel latch means controlled by said electrodes serve to hold properly filled containers elevated above said cam means to render said cam means ineffective and cause said containers to be delivered to the delivery ways.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more fully understood by following the detailed description, the appended claims,

I and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying the invention, a portion of the turret being illustrated in horizontal section.

, FigureZ is a vertical cross section taken substantially on the line 2-2 on Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section illustrating apart of the drive for the timing screw- Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross section taken ments and the relation thereof to the lifting and lowering portions of the pad position controlling cam, the section being taken on the line 9-9 on Figure 2.

Figure Ba diagrammatic development of the pad position controlling cam.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating a simple basic form of surplus draw-off tube with its lower extremity disposed at the normal fill level in a container.

In the machine herein disclosed as an example of embodiment of the invention, there is included a frame having a top or table portion A over which filled containers are fed into the machine by feed-in mechanism generally designated B, and transferred by a star wheel or transfer turret C to the main turret D whereon the containers are tested to determine whether they are over filled or under filled and on which any contained liquid surpluses are drawn off. Slack filled containers are discharged through a rejection pass E, while properly filled containers pass on and are transferred by the star wheel or transfer turret F onto the delivery ways or feed-off mechanism generally designated G. See Figure 1.

While it is to be understood that the machine is adaptable for use in the testing of various forms of containers, the containers herein illustrated are of the gallon can type such as are employed in the packaging of syrups, beverages or the like. These containers include a body portion 5 to the upper end of which is aifixed a cone top 6 terminating in a restricted pouring throat I. The testing of the liquid level in said containers and the drawing off of any liquid surpluses from said containers is effected through the restricted throats 1.

In its more detailed nature, the machine includes a framing 8 having a table or top portion 9 which is cut out, as at 19, to accommodate the main rotary turret D. The framing includes a central vertical bearing hub I I for the turret D, vertical bearings I2 for the star wheel C, and vertical bearings I? for the star wheel F. See Figure 2.

The main turret D includes a central, hollow column or shaft M which is rotatably supported in the bearing II and has a turret body I5 secured thereon in position for resting upon the top of said bearing I l. The turret body is equipped with six equi-distantly spaced pad stem bearings [6 in the peripheral portion thereof and includes a depending skirt ll equipped with a spur gear rim portion 18 at its lower end.

While the machine herein illustrated is equipped with a six station turret, it is to be understood that the number of stations provided on the turret can be varied if desired.

The main turret D also includes an upwardly extended portion l9 equipped with peripheral open pockets 2%] for receiving containers transferred to the turret by the star wheel C. One such pocket is disposed opposite each stem bearing l8, and centered beneath each pocket is a container supporting pad 2! equipped with a depending plunger or stem 22 which is vertically reciprocable in one of the turret bearings l6. Each of the stems 22 is equipped with a roller 23 mounted at its lower end engageable on a cam ring 24 fixed, as at 25, upon the machine frame.

Each stem 22 is held against movement about its axis by a lug 25 secured to the stem and engaged in a vertical slot 2'! formed in the turret body B5. A retractile spring 28 anchored to the turret and connected to the under surface of the respective pad 2! yieldably holds each stem roller 23 against the cam 24. Each stem 22 is equipped,

with a latch receiving recess 29" in the inwardly directed wall portion thereof, and these latch recesses serve a purpose which will be explained hereinafter. See Figures 2, 5 and 8.

The transfer turret or star wheel C comprises avertical shaft 30 rotatably mounted in the bearings l2 and having a bevel gear 3| secured at its lower end. A star wheel or turret rotor 32 is secured at the upper end of the shaft and is equipped with peripheral pockets 33 for receiving the filled containers from the feed-in mechanism B for transfer to the turret pockets 20. See Figure 2.

The transfer turret or star wheel F comprises a vertical shaft 32. rotatable in the bearings 13 and having a spur gear 35 secured at its lower end. The spur gear meshes with and imparts rotation to the turret rim gear [8 and a bevel gear ring 36 is secured to said spur gear 35. See Figure 2.

The bevel and spur gears 3!, 3'5 and 36 are driven through bevel pinio-ns 31 mounted on a drive shaft 33 which is rotatable inframe bearings 33. The shaft 38 is driven through a bevel gear couple 42 from a driver shaft 4! rotatable in frame bearings 42, said driver shaft being driven through sprocket and chain connections 33, and through an overload release equipment 34, from the motor or other suitable source of power (not shown). The source of power preferably comprises an electric motor mounted directly on the machine framing The shaft 4| also carries a driver sprocket 45, the purpose of which will later become apparent. See Figures 1, 2 and 4.

Above the pockets 2B, the main turret is provided with a superstructure or additional upward extension 45 having a horizontal ring top 4'! equipped with six equidistantly spaced clamp bearings 48, one thereof being disposed centrally over each of the container supporting and lifting and lowering pads 2!. In each of the clamp bearings d3 there is secured an insulator hub 49 having a removable cover 5!} and being recessed to receive two contact members disposed in spaced relation and from which depend two electrodes or contact needles 52.

The electrodes are disposed close together and close to a bore 53 extendin vertically through the hub 49. Each pair of contacts 5| are connected .by leads 54 extending through sheathed conductor with the contacts 55 disposed in spaced relation within the chamber in an insulator ring composed of upper and lower separable plates 56 and 5!, said contacts 55 being electrically connected with concentrically spaced contact sectors 58 secured beneath the lower plate 51'. Two said sectors 58 are provided for each of the electrodeset 52, and the twelve sectors together form two concentric contact rings which are continuous except for narrow insulating spacers 59 which are approximately one-eighth of an inch in width and are disposed between the ends of the individual sectors making up these contact rings. See Figure 7.

A sleeve 60 is mounted in the upper end of the column l4 and supports a chambered plug 6| into the bottom of which is connected a liquid surplus draw off or suction line 62, said line extending downwardiy through the vertical column l4 and being connected at its lower end, as at 63, with a suction source (not shown), and at 64 with a surplus liquid recovery reservcir,(not shown). A closure cap (35 is mounted over the upper end of the sleeve 60 and has a bored center hub 66 depending therefrom into the chamber in the plug The cap is provided with a plurality of radially and horizontally extended clamp bearings 61 and carries a shield 68 which overlies the insulator ring 56, '1. One of the clamp bearings 61 is provided for each of the turret stations, and in each bearing is clamped a suction pipe 60. The radially projected end of each pipe is rigidly secured in a clamp member "I0 which is vertically-adjustably mounted, as at II, on the ring top 41.

A T-head I2 is affixed to the end of each suction pipe 59 and includes a downwardly extended split clamp leg I3 which is centered over one of the container supporting pad 2|. A filled surplus draw off tube M is vertically-adjustably clamped in each T-head leg 13 through the medium of a clamping collar I5 threaded on the tapered and externally threaded end of said leg. At its lower extremity, each tube I4 is threaded, as at 16, into the spider web hub 11 of a test cup l8 which terminates upwardly in a feathered edge 10. See Figures 2, 5, and 6.

The electrodes 52 and the tube I4 and cup l8 of each testing or checking unit are spaced in close relation as illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawings so that all are receivable through the restricted throat I of a container.

It will be apparent by reference to Figure of the drawings that the pad lifting and lowering of spaced brushes 88 project upwardly into engagement with the contact ring sectors 58. To the brushes are connected leads 89 which extend through a sheathed conductor 90 passed through v the column I4 and are connected with a source of power generally designated 9| and with a solenoid 92 secured upon the frame, as at 83,

opposite the dwell portion 8| of the lifting and lowering cam 24.

Thecore 94 of the solenoid is link-connected, as at 95, to one end of a trip arm or lever 55 which is pivoted intermediate its ends, as at 91, the other end of said lever being held depressed by an anchored spring 98. The trip end of the lever carries a latch releasing cam plate 99 which is disposed in the path of travel of the lower ends I 00 of a plurality of vertically disposed latch levers, one such latch lever being mounted on the main turret for cooperation with each of the pad stems 22.

Each of the latch levers is pivoted intermediate its ends, as at IN, on the mainturret and has I its upper bifurcated end I02 engaged in side recesses in a latch plunger I03 radially disposed and slide-guided, as at I04, on the main turret. A compression spring equipment I05 serves to yieldably urge each latch plunger against the associated pad stem 22 to cause the end of the plunger to engage in the latching recess 29 in that stem when these parts are brought into registering relation for holding the respective pad and stem at the fully elevated position illustrated in Figure 5. a

Cir

' containers 5 into the machine.

A latch trip roller I05 is supported on a bracket I01 secured to the turret bearingII opposite the crest 84 of the cam 24, and this same bracket also serves as the pivotal support 91 for the trip arm 9-5. This roller is effective to engage the latch lever ends I00 and thereby to displace all latches which might be in the pad lift retaining position as the pads pass the position of the roller, thereby to release the latches and permit the pads to move downwardly under the control of the lowering portion of the cam.

The container feed-in mechanism B includes supporting ways I08 over which travel a link belt I09, said belt serving to deliver the filled The link belt passes over an idler sprocket I I0 on the machine table and is driven from any suitable source of power (not shown). The supporting ways I08 are flanked at one side by a timing screw II2 having trunnion bearing, as at H3, in a housing I I4 secured upon the machine table. The screw is driven by a bevel gear couple II5 from a shaft IIB having rotatable bearing, as at H1, in the housing II4, said shaft also carrying a spur gear I I8 to which rotation is imparted by a spur gear II9 secured upon a shaft I20 which is rotatable in a housing bearing I2I and driven by sprocket and chain connections I22 from the shaft 33 hereinbefore referred to. The ways I08 are flanked at the other side by fixed guide walls I23 and a yieldably mounted guide wall I24 disposed opposite the timing screw I I2.

Ar-cuate guide walls I25 partially surround the main turret and extend around to the slack filled container rejection pass E. Opposite the entrance into the rejection pass E, the machine frame rigidly supports stripper or diverter cams I26, said cams being rigidly supported and extending between the upper and lower turret body flanges in which the turret pockets 20 are formed. These cams are separated to provide an opening I21 therebetween for permitting passage of the stems 22 of all pads which are held in the elevated position by latches I03 when they reach this point. It is to be understood that all container supporting pads 2| which might be in the lowered position will 'pass under the cams I26 so that these cams will strip containers from such lowered pads and divert or reject them into the rejection pass E.

The rejection pass E includes ways I28 for sup porting rejected containers andwhich are spaced, as at I29, to receive between thema block chain I30 which passes over idler sprockets I3 I and over the driver sprocket 45 secured upon the shaft 4I previously referred to. The ways I 28 are flanked,

by fixed guides I32 and it will be understood that all rejected containers which are diverted onto these ways will be carried away by the chain Fixedly mounted arcuate guides I33 partially surround the turret beyond the rejection pass E,and a yieldable arcuate wall I34 normally connects the arcuate guides I25 with the guides I33. The yieldable wall I34 is normally held in place by spring means I35 but will be deflected by container contact whenever a container is rejected and diverted into the rejection pass springing back again to its normal position after each rejected container has passed through onto the ways I28. I

The feed-off ordelivery means G for the properly filled containersvincludes an arcuate fixed guide wall I 38 merging with a fixed flank wall I39 and which directs the properly filled containers onto the feed-out Ways Ml]- over which the containers are fed away by a link belt Ml. The link belt Ml passes over an idler sprocket M2 which is supported on the machine table and is driven from any suitable source of power (not shown).

In Figure 11 of the drawings there is illustrated a simpler form of surplus draw-off tube structure in which the tube 14a has its lower or terminal end portion disposed at the level of normal fill in the container a shown as lifted for a level testing operation. While the invention broadly embraces the use of any form of tube structure in which the effective or level determining inlet is disposed at the normal fill level in the manner stated, the specific form of cup structure herein disclosed as the effective level determining means is not herein specifically claimed, this cup structure being the invention of Laverne Edward Clifcorn and covered in the application for U. S. Letters Patent, Serial No. 425,219, filed by him on December 31, 1941.

Operation In the operation of the machine, filled containers which enter the machine over the ways H38 and on the chain belt I99 are intercepted by the timing screw H2 in the well known manner and are spaced along the ways so as to be properly received in the pockets of the star wheel C and transferred one by one thereby into the receiving pockets 2!] in the main turret D.

As the main turret is rotated, the filled container supporting pads 2| thereof will be individually lifted by reason of the engagement of the stem rollers 23 with the lift portion 80 of the pad lifting and lowering cam 24. When the top of the lift portion 80 is reached the pads will be held in the fully elevated position by the dwell portion 8| of the cam which extends about approximately 30 of the circumference of the cam. In this elevated position the pads 2| support the containers with the upper feathered edges 19 of the cups 18 and the lower extremities of the electrodes 52 disposed at the normal fill liquid level L in the upper portion of said containers. If desired the lower extremity of one of the electrodes 52 can be positioned slightly below said level L.

As has been previously explained, whenever a container supporting pad 2| is lifted by the cam portion 80 onto the dwell crest 8| the latch plunger I03 will move into the pad stem recess 29 and latch the pad in said elevated position, Thus all containers having a normal or surplus fill will be held in the elevated position, and all containers filled with a surplus will be rendered normally filled containers by the drawing off of the surplus in the manner described.

It will be obvious that if a given container is filled above the normal level L, the surplus of liquid will flow over the feathered edge 19 of the cup 18 and into the interior of the cup where it will be drawn 01f by suction through the tube M- and the ducts 69, 62 and Eli to be recovered in the surplus reclaiming reservoir herein before referred to. When the simple form of surplus draw ofi or suction tube 14a illustrated in Figure 11 is used and suspended in the container being tested to present its open lower end extremity at the level of normal fill, any surplus of fill will be similarly drawn off through this simple tube structure. It will also be obvious that in every container in which the level of the liquid fill is at or above the normal level L, the liquid will complete an electrical circuit across the contacted electrodes 52 and effect an energizing of the solenoid 92, thereby causing the trip lever 96 and the latch tripping cam plate 99 carried thereby to be pulled downwardly out of the path of movement of the latch levers I00, 102.

All underfilled or slack filled containers will fail to complete an electrical circuit across the electrodes 52 because of the fact that the deficient level of the liquid will not reach these electrodes,

and the latch tripping cam plate 99 will not be lowered and rendered ineffective with respect to such deficiently filled units but will be engaged by the particular latch lever or levers it!) and will hold the particular latch or latches I03 away from the stem recesses 29. Consequently, when the stem rollers supporting such insufficiently filled containers reach the cam lowering portion 32 they will ride down said portion and return the pads and the containers thereon to their lowered positions. While traveling around in this lowered position these insufiiciently filled containers will engage the diverting cams I25 and be diverted into the rejection pass E to be discharged from the machine by the block chain I36.

All properly filled containers will be held in the elevated, pad latched position by the latch equipments While traveling above the diverter cam equipment I 26. Thus it may be said that the diverter cam equipment is normally effective and is ineffective only when the latching equipment is allowed to remain set by retraction of the releasing cam 39. As previously described, completion of the control circuit through the electrodes by contact with liquid in the containers at the normal level L serves to hold the supporting pads and the containers thereon in the elevated position in which said containers ride over and out of contact with the diverter cam equ pment Each normally filled container and the pad supporting the same are held in the elevated position until the particular stem roller lies directly over the second crown crest on the cam 24, at which time the particular latch lever Hi6 will engage the stationary unlatching roller I06 which will rock said lever to effect a displacement of the latch plunger Hi3 and permit the particular pad 2| to move downwardly under control of the lowering portion 85 of said cam. Such properly filled containers will be transferred by the star wheel F from the main turret onto the feed away or delivery equipment G to be carried away by the link belt Ml.

Any liquid dripping from the testing units as the properly filled containers are being transferred from the main turret will be caught in the catch pan I36.

It will be apparent that the latching equipments hold all pads and the properly filled containers supported thereon whilethey are traveling between the two cam crests 8i and 34, the diverting cam equipment I26 effective to divert deficiently filled containers being disposed between these two cam crests. The circumferential spacing of the cam crests 8| and 84 provides ample time in which to efficiently draw off all liquid fill surpluses from the elevated containers. Only the deficiently filled containers are lowered into position for being acted upon by the diverting cam means, and after such containers have been rejected from the machine by this cam means I26 the pads which had supported them will rise and fall idly over the second set of cam lifting and lowering portions 83, 84, 85.

deficiently filled container pass. 7 v

i 3. In a machine of the character described, a rotary turret having thereon a plurality. of filled container supporting pads and a plurality of overlying tester units. all mounted in equidis-j By reason of the provision'of the particular form of testing units herein illustrated, a very efficient testing operation is effected because of the fact that substantially no vibration is set up in the liquid fill in thecontainers, and the test-, ing operation is not affected by waves or bubbles in said liquid.

It is of course to be understood that the details of structure and arrangement of parts may be variously changed and modified withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of myinvention.

I claim: V

1. In a machine of the character described, container supporting means, a tester unit including a support and suction tube and electrode means depending from said support, means for bringing about relative movement between said'support and said supporting means to cause said tube and electrode means to depend in a container on the supporting means down to a predetermined normal liquid fill level in said container thereby to cause said electrodemeans to contact theliquid and said suction tube to draw ofi anysurplus of fill, means for delivering properly filled, containers from the machine, and means electrically:

controlled by completion of a circuit through said said deficiently filled container to be delivered in- .torsaid deficiently filled container pass.

4. In a machine of the character described, a rotary turret having thereon a plurality of filled container supporting pads and a a plurality of overlying tester units all mounted in equidistantly spaced relation about the axis of the turret,

. each said unit including a support and suction means depending from said support, means for bringing about relative movement betweensaid support and said supporting means to causesaid tube and electrode means to depend in a container on the supporting means down to .a pree determined normal liquid fill level inysaidcontainer thereby to cause said electrode means to contact the liquid and saidsuction tube to. draw off any surplus of fill, a properly filled container delivery station, a deficiently filled container pass,

means electrically controlled, by completionof a.

said electrode means does not contact liquid fill in: a deficiently filled container to cause said desaid ficiently filled container tobe delivered into tantly spaced relation about the axis of the turret, each said unit including a support and suction tube and electrode means depending fromeach support, means for bringing about relative movement between the supports and the pads to cause said tube and electrode means to depend in containers on the pads'down to a predetermined normal liquid fill level in, said containers thereby to cause said electrodef'means to contact the liquid and said suction tube means to draw; off any surplus of fill, a properly filledcontainer. delivery station, a deficiently filled container pass, means electrically.controlled'by completion of a circuit through contact of said electrode tube and electrode means depending from each support, diverter cam means overlying the normal level of the pads and eiTective to engage containers on pads at said normal level and divert them from said pads to a place of rejected container deposit, a pad lifting and lowering cam portion efiective to lift pads above said diverter cam means and having a crest portion disposed to cause said tube and electrode means to depend in containers on the pads down to apredetermined normal liquid fill level in said containers thereby to cause said electrode means to contact the liquid and said suction tube means to draw off any surplus of fill, means electrically controlled by contact of said electrodemeans with liquid fill in containers to hold the pads and containers thereon in which such liquid contact is made at the elevated position whereby properly filled containers will be caused to move over said diverter cam means toward a delivery station, and means eiTective to release the holding means when a container is underfilled, said lowering cam portion being effective to lower all said underfilled containers in which electrode and liquid contact is not made into position for being engaged and diverted by said diverter cam means.

5. In a machine of the character described, a,

rotary turret having thereon a plurality of filled containers supporting pads and a plurality of overlying tester units all mounted in equidistantly spaced relation about the axis of the turret, each said unit including a support and suction tube and electrode means. depending from each support, diverter cam means overlying the normal level of the pads and effective to engage containers on pads at said normal level and divert them'from said pads to a place of rejected container deposit, a pad lifting and lowering cam portion efiective to lift pads above said diverter cam means and having a crest portion disposed to cause said tube and electrode means to depend in containers on the pads down to a predetermined normal liquid filllevel in said containers thereby to cause said electrode means to contact the liquid and said suction tube means to draw.

tion, means effective to release the holding means; when a container is underfilled, said lowering cam portion being effective to lower all said un-,

derfilled containers in which electrode and liquid contact is not made into position for being engaged and diverted by said diverter cam means, a. second lifting and lowering cam portion spaced clrcumferentially from said first mentioned cam portion and having a crest of the same height.

and located beyond said diverter cam 'means, and

means for releasing said holding means to permit L the pads and properly filled containers thereon to be lowered on said second cam lowering portion and move on toward a delivery station.

6.111 a machine of the character describedya.

rotary turret having thereon a plurality of filled container supporting pads and a plurality of overlying tester units all mounted in equidistantly spaced relation about the axis of the turret, each said unit including a support and suction tube and electrode means depending from each support, diverter cam means overlying the normal level of the pads and effective to engage containers on pads at said normal level and divert them from said pads to a place of rejected container deposit, a pad lifting and lowering cam portion effective to lift pads above said diverter cam means and having a crest portion disposed to cause said tube and electrode means to depend in containers on the pads down to a predetermined normal liquid fill level in said containers thereby to cause said electrode means to contact the liquid and said suction tube means to draw off any surplus of fill, each said pad having a stem depending therefrom and vertically-slidably supported on said turret and equipped with a latch receiving recess, a spring pressed latch engageable in each stem recess for holding the respective pad at its elevated position, latch releasing means normally eifective to release latches and permit pads and underfilled containers thereon to be lowered by said lowering cam portion so that said containers will be engaged and diverted by said diverter cam means, and means electrically controlled by contact of said electrode means with liquid fill in properly filled containers to render said releasing means ineffective whereby properly filled containers will be caused to move over said diverter cam means toward a delivery station.

'7. A machine as defined in claim 6 in which said latch releasing means includes a latch tripping cam and a solenoid effective when energized by completion of an electrical circuit across the electrode means and through the liquid in an amply filled container to move said latch tripping cam to an ineffective position.

8. In a machine of the character described, a rotary turret having thereon a plurality of filled container supporting pads and a plurality of overlying tester units all mounted in equidistantly spaced relation about the axis of the turret, each said unit including a support and suction tube and electrode means depending from each support, diverter cam means overlying the normal level of the pads and effective to engage containers on pads at said normal level and divert them from said pads to a place of rejected container deposit, a pad lifting and lowering cam portion effective to lift pads above said diverter cam means and having a crest portion disposed to cause said tube and electrode means to depend in containers on the pads down to a predetermined normal liquid fill level in said containers thereby to cause said electrode means to contact the liquid and said suction tube means to draw off any surplus of fill, each said pad having a stem depending therefrom and vertically-slidably supported on said turret andequipped with a latch receiving recess, a spring pressed. latch engageable in each stem recess for holding the respective pad at its'elevatedposition, latch releasing means normally efiective to release latches and permit padsand underfilled containers thereon to be lowered by said lowering cam portion so that said containers will be engaged and diverted by said diverter cam means, means electrically controlled by contact of said electrode means with liquid fill in properly filled. containers to render said releasing means ineffective whereby properly filled containers will be caused to move over said diverter cam means, and a second lifting and lowering cam portion spaced circumferentially from said first mentioned cam portion and having a crest of the same height and located beyond said diverter cam means, and means for releasing latches holding properly filled containers in elevated position to permit them to be lowered by said second cam lowering portion and move on toward a delivery station.

9. A machine as defined in claim 3 in which there are included container guiding walls partially surrounding the turret and defining said deficiently filled container pass and said properly filled container delivery station, and a yieldable guide wall portion normally closing said pass and directing containers toward said delivery station and displaceable by containers delivered intosaid pass.

10. A machine as defined in claim 6 in which said diverter 'ca'm means has a clearance therethrough to permit passage of said pad stems.

11. A machine 'as defined in claim 3 in which means is included for independently adjusting the position of each suction tube and each electrode means.

12. A machine as defined in claim 3 in which a common suction duct'is disposed at the center of the turret and individual ducts are provided connecting all of the suction tubes with said common suction duct.

13. In a machine of the character described, a rotary turret having thereon a plurality of filled container supporting pads and: a plurality of overlying tester units all mounted in equidistantly spaced relation about the axis of the turret, each said unit including a support and electrode means depending from said support, diverter cam means overlying the normal level of the pads and effective to engage containers on padsat said normal level and divert them from said pads'to. a place of rejected container deposit, a pad lifting and lowering cam portion effective to lift pads above said diverter cam means and having a, crest portion disposed to cause said electrode means to depend in containers on the padsdown to. a predetermined normal liquid fill level in said containers thereby to cause said electrode means. to contact. the liquid, means electrically controlled-by contact of said electrode means with liquid fill in containers to hold the pads and containers thereon in which such liquid contact is made at the elevated position whereby properly filled containers will be caused to move over said diverter cam means toward a delivery station, means effective to release the holding means when a containeris underfilled, said lowering cam portion being effective to lower all said underfilled containers in which electrode and liquid contact is not made into position for being engaged and diverted by said diverter cam means, a second lifting and lowering cam portion spaced circumferentially fromfsa'id first mentioned cam portion and having a crest of the. same height and'located beyondsaid diverter cam means, and means for releasing said holding means to permit the pads and properly filled containers thereon to 'be lowered onsaid-second cam lowering portion and move; on toward: a delivery station.

14. In a machine'of the character'described, a rotary turret having thereon-a pluralityof filled container supporting pads and a plurality of overlying tester units all mounted in, equidistantly spaced relation about-the axis of'the turret, each said unit including a support and electrode means depending from each support, diverter cam means overlying the normal level of the pads and effective to engage containers on pads at said normal level and divert them from said pads to a place of rejected container deposit, a pad lifting and lowering cam portion effective to lift pads above said diverter cam means and having a crest portion disposed to cause said electrode means to depend in containers on the pads down to a predetermined normal liquid fill level in said containers thereby to cause said electrode means to contact the liquid, each said pad having a stem depending therefrom and vertically-slidably supported on said turret and equipped with a latch receiving recess, a spring pressed latch engageable in each stem recess for holding the respective pad at its elevated position, latch releasing means normally effective to release latches and permit pads and underfilled containers thereon to be lowered by said lowering cam portion so that said containers will be engaged and diverted by said diverter cam means, and means electrically controlled by contact of said electrode means with liquid fill in properly filled containers to render said releasing means ineffective whereby properly filled containers will be caused to move over said diverter cam means toward a delivery station.

15. A machine as defined in claim 14 in which said latch releasing means includes a latch tripping cam and a solenoid effective when energized by completion of an electrical circuit across the electrode means and through the liquid in an amply filled container to move said latch tripping cam to an ineffective position.

16. In a machine of the character described, a rotary turret having thereon a plurality of filled container supporting pads and a plurality of overlying tester units all mounted in equidistantly spaced relation about the axis or the turret, each said unit including a support and electrode means depending from each support, diverter cam means overlying the normal level of the pads and effective to engage containers on pads at said normal level and divert them from said pads to a place of rejected container deposit, a pad lifting and lowering cam portion efiective to lift pads above said diverter cam means and having a crest portion disposed to cause said electrode means to depend in containers on the pads down to a predetermined normal liquid fill level in said containers thereby to cause said electrode means to contact the liquid, each said pad having a stem depending therefrom and vertically-slidably supported on said turret and equipped with a latch receivingrecess, a spring pressed latch engageable in each stem recess for holding the respective pad at its elevated position, latch re- 20 leasing means normally efiective to release latches and permit pads and underfilled containers thereon to be lowered by said lowering cam portion so that said containers will be engaged and diverted by said diverter cam-means, means elec- 5 trically controlled by contact of said electrode means with liquid fill in properly filled containers to render said releasing means ineffective whereby properly filled containers will be caused to move over said diverter cam means, and a second 30 lifting and lowering cam portion spaced circumferentially from said first mentioned cam portion and having a crest of the same height and located beyond said diverter cam means, and means for releasing latches holding properly filled 35 containers in elevated position to permit them to be lowered by said second cam lowering portion and move on toward a delivery station.

ALFRED L. KRONQUEST. 

